Jacob Frey Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Children, Policies, Net Worth
Jacob Frey Biography | Who is Jacob Frey?
Jacob Lawrence Frey is an American politician, attorney, and former distance runner who serves as the 48th Mayor of Minneapolis. Born on July 23, 1981, in Arlington County, Virginia, he grew up in nearby Oakton. His parents worked as professional modern ballet dancers, and his family background gave him an early appreciation of discipline and the arts.
Frey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the College of William & Mary in 2004 on a track and field scholarship. He then completed a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, at Villanova University School of Law in 2009.
Before public office, Frey competed as a professional runner, representing the United States at the Pan American Games and qualifying for major marathons. After law school he moved to Minneapolis, worked in civil rights and employment discrimination law, and engaged in community organizing.
In 2013 he was elected to the Minneapolis City Council representing Ward 3 and served until early 2018. He then ran for mayor, won the election in November 2017, and took office on January 2, 2018.
As mayor, Frey focuses on affordable housing, community-police relations, climate change, and inclusive economic growth. He emphasizes data-driven governance and local empowerment while leading Minneapolis through complex urban challenges and reforms.
Jacob Frey Age | How old is Jacob Frey?
Jacob Lawrence Frey was born on July 23, 1981, making him 44 years old as of 2025. He became Mayor of Minneapolis on January 2, 2018, and continues his leadership today. Frey blends youthful energy with seasoned experience as he tackles urban policy, housing, and public safety. At 44, his age underscores his role in bridging generational perspectives in city governance.
Jacob Frey Height — How Tall Is Minneapolis’ Mayor?
Jacob Frey stands 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) tall. His height gives him a balanced and approachable presence in public settings. Frey’s athletic build, shaped by his past as a long-distance runner, complements his stature. Standing at 5 ft 11 in, he appears confident yet relatable during city events, press conferences, and community engagements. His height subtly enhances his professional image, making him both commanding and personable as Mayor of Minneapolis.
Jacob Frey Education
Jacob Lawrence Frey attended the College of William & Mary on a track scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 2004, combining academics with athletics. Subsequently, he enrolled at Villanova University School of Law and earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 2009. During law school, he continued competing as a distance runner and later moved to Minneapolis to launch his career in civil‑rights law. Frey’s strong academic credentials underpin his work as Mayor of Minneapolis and shape his commitment to public service and justice.
Jacob Frey Ethnicity
Jacob Frey comes from a Jewish family, with his mother of Russian‑Jewish ancestry and his father having converted to Judaism. He identifies with his Jewish ethnicity and grew up around that cultural heritage. Moreover, Frey grew closer to this identity following rising antisemitism in late 2023 and 2024. His Jewish background influences his values of justice, equity, and community service in his role as Mayor of Minneapolis.
Jacob Frey Religion | Minneapolis Mayor’s Faith and Identity
Jacob Frey identifies as Jewish, highlighting his Russian‑Jewish heritage on his mother’s side. He grew up culturally Jewish and now attends Reform synagogues in Minneapolis. Moreover, he has drawn closer to his Jewish identity following the rise in antisemitism after October 2023. Meanwhile, Frey champions religious inclusion, signing an ordinance that expanded Muslim call‑to‑prayer rights in Minneapolis. In this way, his faith informs his values and guides his approach to public service.
Jacob Frey Wife | Details on His Spouse Sarah Clarke
Jacob Frey is married to Sarah Clarke, a former lobbyist and now attorney. They met during community organizing in Minneapolis and married in July 2016. Sarah Clarke supports her husband’s public service work and shares his commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice. Together they have two daughters, including their newborn announced in July 2025. Meanwhile, Sarah has spoken out about family safety as protesters targeted their home. Their partnership blends civic leadership with family life.
Jacob Frey Children | Meet the Mayor’s Daughters and Family Life
Jacob Frey and his wife, Sarah Clarke, are parents to two daughters. Their eldest daughter, Frida Jade Frey, was born in September 2020. Then, in July 2025 they welcomed their second daughter, Estelle Bloom Frey. The family resides in Minneapolis with their children and two cats, highlighting their commitment to both city life and home. Frey often speaks about fatherhood shaping his priorities in office and civic engagement.
Jacob Frey First Wife | Details on His Previous Marriage
Jacob Frey married Michelle Lilienthal in 2009 while earlier building his career in law and community organizing. Their marriage ended in divorce by early 2014. During their time together, Lilienthal competed as a professional runner and later regarded the divorce as a turning point in her athletic and personal development. After the divorce, Frey redirected his focus toward public service and eventually married his second wife, Sarah Clarke, in 2016.
Jacob Frey Family
Jacob Frey was born to two professional modern ballet dancers in northern Virginia. His mother is of Russian‑Jewish ancestry, while his father converted to Judaism. They nurtured his early interests in discipline and movement, which later led him to athletics and community service. Moreover, Frey credits his parents’ artistic background for shaping his sense of timing, performance and public presence. His family roots helped anchor his values of creativity, resilience and public service.
Jacob Frey Election Results 2025 | Minneapolis Mayoral Race Update
Who won Minneapolis Mayor?
Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey is seeking a third term in the 2025 Minneapolis mayoral election. In the first round of voting on November 4, 2025, Frey led with approximately 42%, while challenger Omar Fateh received around 32%.
Because no candidate secured a majority, the election moved to the ranked-choice tabulation rounds. Other challengers, including DeWayne Davis (14%) and Jazz Hampton (10%), make second- and third-choice votes crucial.
Frey’s campaign now emphasizes securing transfer votes and highlighting his record on housing, public safety, and urban development. The final result remains undecided, pending completion of all ranked-choice rounds, keeping the city and voters eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Omar Fateh vs Jacob Frey | 2025 Minneapolis Mayoral Race Breakdown
In the 2025 mayoral race, Mayor Jacob Frey faced off against challenger Omar Fateh, a state senator. Frey captured about 42% of first‑choice votes, while Fateh earned around 32% in a crowded 15‑candidate field. Because no candidate reached the 50%+1 threshold, the election moved into ranked‑choice voting rounds.
Frey ran as a moderate, emphasizing his record on housing, public safety, and economic growth. Meanwhile, Fateh campaigned on a progressive platform, advocating for rent stabilization, a $20 minimum wage, and reforming policing and public safety.
Their contest highlighted an ideological split within the city’s Democratic‑Farmer‑Labor (DFL) base: Frey representing the centrist incumbent track, and Fateh representing the progressive grassroots insurgency. Consequently, the race became a barometer for Minneapolis’s political direction.
As results await final tabulations of second‑ and third‑choice votes, the outcome remains uncertain. Both candidates continue to campaign for transfer votes while underlining their distinct visions for Minneapolis’s future.
Jacob Frey Policies | Key Priorities of the Minneapolis Mayor
Jacob Frey focuses on affordable housing, public safety, climate action, economic equity, and transparent governance. As Minneapolis Mayor, he actively pushes reforms that improve residents’ lives and strengthen the city’s future.
Frey continues to expand affordable housing through zoning reforms and funding for deeply affordable units. He also prioritizes public safety by advancing police reforms, enhancing accountability, and supporting behavioral crisis response teams.
Additionally, he promotes climate-friendly policies, cutting city emissions and boosting clean energy use. Frey also champions economic inclusion, ensuring fair opportunities for all communities.
Finally, his governance policies focus on transparency, efficiency, and immigrant inclusion. These initiatives aim to create a safer, fairer, and greener Minneapolis.
Jacob Frey Salary
Mayor Jacob Frey earns an annual salary of approximately $140,814 for his role as Mayor of Minneapolis. In earlier years, records show his salary at $132,804 in 2020 and $136,024 in 2021. Compared with mayors in similar-sized U.S. cities, his salary remains below average, despite leading a major urban center. Consequently, Frey’s compensation underscores his position as a full-time executive mayor with extensive responsibilities and public-service expectations.
Jacob Frey Net Worth
Jacob Frey’s net worth estimates hover around $9 million according to public‑profile sites. This figure reflects his career as an attorney, city council member and mayor of Minneapolis. While his annual salary is about $140,814, his total net worth clearly exceeds typical mayoral compensation.